Revised: 06 Dec 2006

Essays

The following are a collection of essays about some of the lessons that we have learned over the years.  The lessons come from our personal experiences and the applications of the word of GOD.  The essays are to be read as a guide.  They can just be read for entertainment but even more so for encouragement.  A wise woman once told me that with any information and advice that you are given, evaluate how it apply to your own life personality.  What works for me may not work the same way for you.  That is how intricate GOD was when He made each of us.  As you read we hope that you can gain a different perspective that can help you to look at life in a different way.

I. Love

Love (1 Corinthians 13: 4-7)

"LORD, I know that I am supposed to love.  In spite of the situation, I do feel like I still love him, but I do not know to show that, is it about saying "hi" even if I don't feel like it?"  This particular essay was written in response to my plea to a friend of mine.  I had recently experienced a break up and I wasn't mad about it...I just needed to know how to conduct myself appropriately.  "Just love him," she said.  Well I knew that, but how do I do that?  She referred me back to the bible.  First Corinthians 13: 4-7 told me exactly how.  The following is a breakdowns of 1Corinthins 13: 4-7 as it applies to my situation.  As you read you can replace "Love" with "I" and "him" to whoever it is that you need guidance in showing your love to. "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." (1John 3:18)

Love is PATIENT:  Patients means you stay calm and do not pitch a fit just because what you want or expect does not happen right away.

Love is KIND:  Being kind is not just being nice, it is giving unselfishly. It is about being nice from the heart. "Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back" (Luke 6: 30)

Love DOES NOT ENVY:  Love is never jealous of the other person's accomplishments. She is not angry because they are happy- even if it is with someone else. "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones" (Proverbs 14: 30)

Love DOES NOT BOAST:  Love does not show off on the other person.  She stays humble and does not try to make anyone else envious of her.  "Let another praise you and not your own mouth; someone else and not your own lips." (Proverbs 27:2)

Love is NOT PROUD:  Love can admit when she is wrong. Also, she is not too full of her own self-image to give others a second, third, or even fourth chance. "...In humility consider others better than your self" (Philippians 2:3b).

Love is NOT RUDE:  Even when everything in her wants lash out and just be mean...even when she wants to ignore him and not answer his phone calls or to just give attitude, Love holds her tongue and is poised and polite, always. "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" (Proverbs 15:1)

Love is NOT SELF-SEEKING:  Love does not try to manipulate people to have her own way.  Instead, she goes out of her way for other people. "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vein conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4)

Love is NOT EASILY ANGERED:  Aside from being patient, Love also chooses not to take offense when she's been wronged. "The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love." (Psalm 103:8)

Love does DOES NOT DELIGHT IN EVIL:  "Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles do not let your heart rejoice" (Proverbs 24:17).  Love   does not scheme against him nor does she accept when others offer to beat him up.  

but Love REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH: " An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips." (Proverbs 24:26). " Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things." (Philippians 4:8)

Love ALWAYS PROTECTS:  Even though he hurt her, Love doesn't gossip about him or defame his name.  She does not want to make him look bad.  "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21).  "Blessed are the peace makers for they will be called sons of GOD"                (Matthew  5:9)

Love always PERSEVERES:  But if he does not, Love does not become angry and jealous of his new lover.  She is still kind and still polite. She is happy for him, a long as he is happy.  In a marriage she remains a faithful wife and stands by his side and supports him in his dreams as her covering, even when times are rocky.

"Therefore as GOD's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, cloth yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the LORD forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all in perfect unity" (Colossians 3:12)

The world may view at these actions as weakness. "You are so stupid to take him back after all that he has done to you!" or "You need to make him work for your affection!"  As Christians GOD has commanded us to love.  And then, He plainly and distinctly gave us the instructions on how to do so.  The Holy Spirit only wishes to live through us. To do otherwise would just be wrong.